The revitalized Warriors aim to secure their third consecutive victory when they clash with an Origin-impacted North Queensland Cowboys team on Saturday afternoon.
The Cowboys will be missing key players Murray Taulagi (shoulder) and Reece Robson (neck) due to injuries. However, they will have the services of fellow Origin representatives Valentine Holmes, Tom Dearden, and Jeremiah Nanai.
On the other hand, the Warriors are set to welcome back several significant players. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (illness), hooker Wayde Egan (head knock), center Rocco Berry (hand), prop Addin Fonua-Blake (disciplinary), and forwards Kurt Capewell (calf) and Tohu Harris (wrist) are all expected to return to the lineup.
**TEAMS**
**Cowboys:** Scott Drinkwater, Kyle Feldt, Valentine Holmes, Viliami Vailea, Braidon Burns, Tom Dearden, Chad Townsend, Reuben Cotter, Harrison Edwards, Griffin Neame, Heilum Luki, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Thomas Mikaele, Jaxon Purdue, Sam McIntyre, Jason Taumalolo, Jeremiah Nanai. 18th man: Jake Clifford.
**Warriors:** Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Rocco Berry, Adam Pompey, Marcelo Montoya, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Te Maire Martin, Addin Fonua-Blake, Wayde Egan, Jackson Ford, Marata Niukore, Mitchell Barnett, Dylan Walker, Tohu Harris, Jazz Tevaga, Kurt Capewell, Freddy Lussick. 18th man: Taine Tuaupiki.
In another notable match, Latrell Mitchell delivered a standout performance for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, leading them to a dominant 46-12 victory over the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.
Mitchell’s all-around display has positioned him as a potential replacement for Joseph Suaali’i in the NSW Blues for Origin Game I. He initiated the scoring for South Sydney in the eighth minute following a clever dummy half run by Damien Cook that dismantled the Titans’ defense.
Mitchell continued to shine throughout the game, contributing to three tries, creating four line breaks, breaking three tackles, and kicking for nearly 300 meters. His defensive efforts were also crucial, as he twice prevented Titans’ speedster Alofiana Khan-Pereira from scoring.
Despite the Titans finding some success through Khan-Pereira, who scored in the 19th minute to bring the Gold Coast back into contention, South Sydney regained control. The Rabbitohs then scored four consecutive tries before David Fifita added another for the Titans in the 69th minute.
The match also featured an intense battle between David Fifita and Rabbitohs halfback Cody Walker. Fifita’s powerful running culminated in him overpowering Walker to score the Titans’ second try of the night.
The Warriors’ upcoming match against the Cowboys and the Rabbitohs’ impressive victory underscore the excitement and unpredictability of the season, with key players stepping up and teams navigating the challenges of player availability due to injuries and Origin commitments.
